Dave Martinez - AAPHERD Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year

GAHPERD is proud to have our very own Dave Martinez, an adaptive physical education teacher from Cherokee County, named the AAPERD Adapted Physcial Education Teacher of the Year. Read the following bio written to 11 Alive television about Dave's accomplishments.

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11 Alive Bio

 The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation recently named Dave Martinez as the 2009 National Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Dave is an adapted physical education specialist for the Cherokee County, Georgia School District (CCSD) and has been described as a “tireless advocate for his students with disabilities”. He advocated for and co-created the first “official” APE program for the CCSD during the 1999-2000 school year. Dave has been a dedicated Special Olympics coach and local program co-coordinator for the CherokeeCounty community for over 10 years. In 2006, Special Olympics, Georgia selected Dave as the Outstanding Coach of the Year. In 2007, he facilitated the process and created a district wide program that enables Special Olympians an opportunity to earn a varsity letter from their respective high schools. Because of this advocacy, Special Olympians are now able to experience a significant part of American culture just as their non-disabled peers. In 2008,
 
Dave created the Cherokee Ability Games to enable students with orthopedic disabilities further opportunities for participation and competition in extramural programs. This inclusive program focuses on two lifetime physical activities: bocce and disc golf. Participants include athletes with severe orthopedic impairments, age-appropriate peer partners, and community volunteers from the Atlanta Disc Golf Organization and the Cherokee County Disc Golf Club.
 
Dave is currently the Georgia State Coordinator of the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) Committee. To encourage Georgia professionals to seek national certification in adapted physical education, Dave authored a journal article for the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (GAHPERD). In addition, he has made several professional presentations during state and national conventions as a means to advocate for quality adapted physical education and sport programs for children with disabilities. Dave currently serves as an advisor for the Georgia Department of Education’s Physical Education State Standards Committee, as a member of the Georgia Department of Education’s Fitness Assessment Committee, and was recently selected by his peers to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPERID).
 
Dave believes it is necessary to live a physically active lifestyle in order to be an effective role model for the students he teaches in the CCSD as well as for the students enrolled in his Fitness for Living courses at Kennesaw State University. Some of his fitness accomplishments include, successfully completing two marathons and placing in his age group during a 30K mountain run.
 
In my opinion, Dave is an excellent candidate for this award. He demonstrates incredible leadership skills with a caring, encouraging and energetic teaching style. These unique attributes are what motivate his students to be physically active for their lifespan, regardless of their disability.
 
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